Experiences of the Allied Servicemen who were Prisoners of War at Servigliano, Italy

A Southward Migration

This undated newspaper photo was clipped and saved by British former prisoner-of-war Denis Crooks.

The source, the Evening Standard, is evidently the London Evening Standard.

The caption reads:

“‘Welcome Home’ Sign in Italy

“So many Allied officers and men are escaping through the enemy lines to the Eighth Army that directional signs have been put up for them. One of the signs in the village of Vinchiaturo.”

[The stenciled sign in the photo reads “ALLIED EX POW REPORT HERE.”]

Two Transfer of Personnel Documents

Document No. 1—November 3, 1943

The following “transfer of personnel” document—my father Sergeant Armie Hill’s “ticket home” after reunion with the Allied forces following his escape—was framed and proudly displayed on our living room wall for many years when I was a child.

Armie and his escape companion Ben Farley made it to the Allied lines in 31 days, having traveled an estimated 300 miles on foot through the mountains in order to evade recapture. They escaped on September 14 and arrived at the British Eighth Army line on October 15.

These eight men were the first prisoners to turn up, and Armie later said, “They didn’t know what to do with us.”

All eight escapees listed in this document escaped from Camp 59 in Servigliano.

U. S. CONFIDENTIAL EQUALS BRITISH CONFIDENTIAL

HEADQUARTERS
NORTH AFRICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
UNITED STATES ARMY
APO 534
CORRECTED COPY

1. Having escaped from enemy territory, the following named enlisted men, formerly assigned to organizations indicated, will proceed on or about 3 November 1943, to Casablanca, Morocco, reporting to the Port Commandant for return to the United States by first available surface transportation. Upon arrival in the United States, they will report to the Commanding General, Port of Embarkation, who will assign them to a reception center near their home and will report their assignment to The Adjunct General, Washington, D.C.:

2. Each is granted a furlough of twenty (20) days effective after arrival in the United States and before proceeding to permanent station.

3. Travel by belligerent vessel, commercial steamship, army transport, naval vessel and/or rail is authorized. Travel by military aircraft from this station to Casablanca, Morocco, is authorized. Rations in kind will be provided.

Thirteen of the 26 are listed as former prisoners in the database, but no camp is listed for them. Of those 13, two—John E. Riley and Glen E. Backe—are listed in Luther Shield’s “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards.” (In Luther’s deck, Backe is listed as Glenn S. Backe.) Since Luther escaped from Camp 59 and was not recaptured, it is likely these men were recorded on his playing cards while they were in Camp 59.

In the National Archives, Sam S. Mirabello is listed as S. S. Mirabello with a different serial number (150U9586 instead of 12009586); no camp in listed for him.

Ernest C. Ellis is listed as having been in Camp 21 Chieti (but he is also listed in Luther’s deck, so it is likely he was in Camp 59 at one time). Kenneth E. Lightbody is listed as having been in Camp 204 Altamura Italy 41-16. Carl Anderson is listed as having been in Military Hospital #75, Bari Italy 41-17.

CONFIDENTIAL

MP – 945

HEADQUARTERS
NORTH AFRICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
UNITED STATES ARMY
APO 534

/bt
13 July 1944

AG 210.482/300-P

SUBJECT: Orders.
To: All Concerned.

1. The following named personnel, formerly of organizations indicated, having escaped from enemy custody, will proceed without delay to the First Replacement Depot, reporting upon arrival to the Commanding Officer thereof for return to the United States by first available surface transportation. Upon arrival in the United States, they will report to the Commanding General, Port of Debarkation, who will assign them to a reception center near their home and report their arrival and assignment to The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.